There are broadly three aspects to the research of the Astronomy & Astrophysics group –

(a) Theoretical Astrophysics that involves development of analytical models and computational numerical simulations describing the dynamics, physical properties and underlying phenomena in celestial objects like stars, planets, galaxies, interstellar medium etc. Theorists also work on answering fundamental questions on the formation and evolution of the Universe, a branch of astrophysics called cosmology.

(b) Observational astronomers on the other hand use telescopes built across the globe to study radiation from space across the entire electromagnetic spectrum – low frequency (long wavelength) radio waves to very high frequency (short wavelength and highly energetic) gamma rays. These observations test existing theoretical models and also give rise to new questions that call for answers.

(c) The third aspect involves the design, construction and operation of telescopes, which are often built for very specific purposes, and are strategically located around the world and in space. RRI has an Astronomy & Astrophysics group that embraces research work in all these three facets.